Bolero by Ravel
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I’ve been asked if I can substitute harmonica for the sax solo on Duran Duran’s Rio - any advice? Is this even possible?! Can anyone point me in the right direction? Cheers!
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Played in the original key, I’ve done it using a B minor tuned diatonic
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Thank you. I think that means I could use a C or Bb tuned harmonica in a higher position? Is that correct?
Hmm. The solo sounds to me to be in F# minor so the Bm works easily. I suppose you could play a B with appropriate bends or several other positions (eg. E 3rd position) and others with proper note selection and bends etc etc
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Thanks. I might have to invest in a B Minor harmonica then. I see that Lee Oskar do a Natural and a Harmonic version of a B Minor. Any idea which would be best - the natural?
Firstly, I would find out what key your band is playing the song in and what chords they are playing during the solo part so you get the right harp. Also, if you have an old Lee Oskar laying around you can purchase just a set of reed plates.
He labels his in cross harp position so you would order an F# NM in order to get a BNM plate/harp (the 2 draw should be the key of the music)
As a point of interest, I found this out on the web. “The sax solo uses melodic motifs within the F# minor/major framework, often modulating between the two for dramatic effect in the solo section.
Since the solo is modulating between minor and major, you could use a regular B harp, just making sure not to play any major 3rds in the minor parts.
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@Stephen Ok cool @dblues has pointed you well. You want an F# Natural Minor Lee Oskar (Hohner labels their natural minor harps in a way that I find to be confusing/misleading.)
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That’s fantastic - thank you so much for your help with this. Once I’ve worked it out, I will try to tab it - it may take a few months!
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LMK if you need any help
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